Species differences in inner ear fluids

Summary Inner ear fluids of guinea pigs and cats were analyzed for sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, and total protein to determine species differences in chemical compositions. In the scala vestibuli perilymph and scala tympani perilymph, sodium, potassium, and choride levels in the guinea pig were lower than in the cat. The protein levels in the scala vestibuli perilymph and scala tympani perilymph of the guinea pig were lower than those of the cat. The glucose levels in the guinea pig were higher in the scala vestibuli perilymph and scala tympani perilymph, as compared to findings in the cat. Regarding the utricular endolymph, there were significant differences between guinea pigs and cats in sodium and potassium concentrations; the concentration in the former being higher in sodium and lower in potassium. These findings are pertinent for the phylogenetic studies on inner ear fluid biochemistry.This work was supported by Research Grant No. ROI-NS1026801 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Strokes, USA     

Chemical composition in various compartments of inner ear fluid

Summary Sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose and total protein were determined in samples of scala vestibuli perilymph, scala tympani perilymph, CSF, cochlear endolymph and utricular endolymph from normal cats. Small but significant differences were evident in the concentrations of sodium and potassium between the scala vestibuli and scala tympani perilymph. It was also apparent that each compartment of endolymph has different values for sodium and potassium concentrations. Compared with the endolymph, the perilymph was found to contain a higher concentration of glucose and total protein. These findings are discussed from the view point of biological significance.Read before the 13th Workshop on Inner Ear Biology in Düsseldorf on August 23, 1976 This work was supported by Research Grant No. ROI-NS 1026801 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Strokes, USA     

Possible Neuroprotective Effects of l-Carnitine on White-Matter Microstructural Damage and Cognitive Decline in Hemodialysis Patients

Although l-carnitine alleviated white-matter lesions in an experimental study, the treatment effects of l-carnitine on white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients are unknown. Using novel diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) techniques, white-matter microstructural changes together with cognitive decline in hemodialysis patients and the effects of l-carnitine on such disorders were investigated. Fourteen hemodialysis patients underwent dMRI and laboratory and neuropsychological tests, which were compared across seven patients each in two groups according to duration of l-carnitine treatment: (1) no or short-term l-carnitine treatment (NSTLC), and (2) long-term l-carnitine treatment (LTLC). Ten age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Compared to controls, microstructural disorders of white matter were widely detected on dMRI of patients. An autopsy study of one patient in the NSTLC group showed rarefaction of myelinated fibers in white matter. With LTLC, microstructural damage on dMRI was alleviated along with lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and substantial increases in carnitine levels. The LTLC group showed better achievement on trail making test A, which was correlated with amelioration of disorders in some white-matter tracts. Novel dMRI tractography detected abnormalities of white-matter tracts after hemodialysis. Long-term treatment with l-carnitine might alleviate white-matter microstructural damage and cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients.     

ABC transporter AtABCG25 is involved in abscisic acid transport and responses

Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the most important phytohormones involved in abiotic stress responses, seed maturation, germination, and senescence. ABA is predominantly produced in vascular tissues and exerts hormonal responses in various cells, including guard cells. Although ABA responses require extrusion of ABA from ABA-producing cells in an intercellular ABA signaling pathway, the transport mechanisms of ABA through the plasma membrane remain unknown. Here we isolated an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene, AtABCG25, from Arabidopsis by genetically screening for ABA sensitivity. AtABCG25 was expressed mainly in vascular tissues. The fluorescent protein-fused AtABCG25 was localized at the plasma membrane in plant cells. In membrane vesicles derived from AtABCG25-expressing insect cells, AtABCG25 exhibited ATP-dependent ABA transport. The AtABCG25-overexpressing plants showed higher leaf temperatures, implying an influence on stomatal regulation. These results strongly suggest that AtABCG25 is an exporter of ABA and is involved in the intercellular ABA signaling pathway. The presence of the ABA transport mechanism sheds light on the active control of multicellular ABA responses to environmental stresses among plant cells.     

Newly Developed Ultrasonic Probe With Ropeway System for Transpapillary Intraductal Ultrasonography of the Bilio–Pancreatic Ductal System

Background: Intraductal ultrasonography of the bile/pancreatic duct using a thin‐caliber ultrasonic probe (IDUS) provides excellent images of these ducts and the surrounding structures. Insertion of the device through the papilla of Vater is essential to carry out this examination. We developed a new probe with a ropeway system (XUM5RG‐29R; Olympus, Tokyo) for transpapillary IDUS. Its usefulness such as ease of application and safety were prospectively evaluated. Patients and methods: During the period of October 1997 to April 1998, transpapillary IDUS using the probe was performed in 194 patients at seven medical institutions. The success rates of insertion of the probe into the bile/pancreatic duct, observation of the area of interest, and the incidence of complications were evaluated. Results: Passage of the probe through the papilla was successful without difficulty in all the patients. Successful introduction of the probe into the pancreatic duct, bile duct and both of the ducts was achieved in 98.4, 100 and 85% of the patients, respectively. Once the probe was introduced into the aimed duct, it was possible to obtain IDUS images of the area of interest in all but five patients. Mild acute pancreatitis developed in eight patients (4.1%), all of whom recovered with conservative therapy only. Conclusions: It is possible to introduce the new ultrasonic probe into the desired duct once a guide wire has been inserted. This type of ultrasonic probe is quite useful when performing transpapillary IDUS of the bile and/or pancreatic duct.     

Gallbladder torsion: case report and review of 245 cases reported in the Japanese literature

We report here a case of torsion of the gallbladder in a 73-year-old woman. The patient was admitted to our hospital with right hypochondralgia. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated a distended gallbladder, with a multilayered wall, which contained no stones. Since the symptoms did not respond to antibiotics, laparotomy was performed. The gallbladder was found to be twisted around its pedicle and to be gangrenous. Cholecystectomy was performed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. We also reviewed 245 cases reported in the Japanese literature. The clinical features of gallbladder torsion, which include low frequency of fever and jaundice, poor response to antibiotic therapy, and acute onset of abdominal pain, may be helpful in the differential diagnosis from acute cholecystitis. Moreover, a highly suggestive sign of gallbladder torsion observed by ultrasonography or computed tomography is a markedly enlarged “floating” gallbladder with a continuous hypoechoic line indicating edematous change in the wall.     

Seventeen-year follow-up of massive osteolysis of the scapula

A 14-year-old boy with massive osteolysis of the right scapula was treated by irradiation with a total dose of 58 Gy, using cobalt 60 (2 Gy per fraction) in 1983 and 1984. Histopathology in a biopsy specimen revealed hemangiomatosis associated with few osteoclasts and a lining of oval or spindle-shaped endothelial-like cells. The osteolysis has been interrupted since the last irradiation. In January 2000, 17 years after the initial treatment, the patient is working as a public officer, and shows no clinical signs of postradiation sarcoma. Radiographs show a residual scapula with sclerotic margin, associated with marked hypoplasia and atrophy of the right humerus. Ranges of motion of the right shoulder are 100° on anterior elevation, 40° on posterior elevation, and 70° on abduction. The patient experiences no problems in daily living, except for difficulty in lifting. Received: February 2, 2000 / Accepted: June 26, 2000     

Differential effects of methylmercury on the synthesis of protein species in dorsal root ganglia of the rat

Dorsal root ganglia from control and methylmercury(MeHg)-treated rats were incubated in vitro with ³⁵S-methionine ant the proteins synthesized were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The double labelling method, in which proteins of control dorsal root ganglia labelled in vitro with ³H-leucine were added to each of the two samples as an internal standard, was used to minimize unavoidable errors arising from the resolving procedure itself. The results obtained showed that the effect of MeHg on the synthesis of proteins in dorsal root ganglia was not uniform for individual protein species in the latent period of MeHg intoxication. Among 200 protein species investigated, 157 showed inhibition of synthesis close to that of the total proteins in the tissue (68% of the control). Among the remaining protein species, 20 showed real stimulation of synthesis, whereas 7 were moderately inhibited and 16 were inhibited more strongly than the total proteins in the tissue. These results suggest that the effect of MeHg on the synthetic rates for protein species in dorsal root ganglia differs with the species, and that unusual elevation or reduction of the synthesis of some protein species caused by MeHg may lead to impairment of normal nerve functions.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Japanese Environmental Agency     

Activation of Bcr-abl Fusion Gene and Ras Oncogenes in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

We attempted to detect the bcr-abl fusion gene and ras gene family in CML by the in vitro focus forming assay and the tumorigenicity assay. Eight of 14 chronic phase and both of two blastic phase cases showed transforming activity in the tumorigenicity assay. However, only one chronic phase sample was positive in the in vitro focus forming assay. Among these 10 transformants, we found N-ras activation in one chronic phase, and K-ras activation in another chronic phase case. The bcr-abl fusion gene was activated in one chronic phase and all of the blastic phase cases by the tumorigenicity assay. The present result showed that the bcr-abl fusion gene transfected N1H3T3 cells formed tumors in nude mice in contrast to the in vitro focus forming assay. The bcr-abl fusion gene may play important roles in the progression as well as the pathogenesis of CML.